REDS Beat Tommies

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women's rugby team used tries from five different players in a 67-10 victory over the St. Thomas University Tommies, on Sunday afternoon on the turf at the Grant-Harvey complex.

Megan Stewart helped the REDS get off to a quick start with her first of four tries.

“The forwards did an amazing job rucking, which allowed me to get the ball quickly and move with speed,” said Stewart. “Madeline [Hutt] did an amazing job calling plays that allowed me to exploit the holes in the defence as well. Our rookie Ellie [Cross] did a great job at recognizing when two defenders were committing to her and passed the ball out quickly to allow me to exploit that. Overall, amazing decision making by our team made it easy to exploit the holes.” 

Stewart’s performance, along with three scores from REDS captain Katherine Maxwell, and tries by Alex Morrell, Kaylee Madore, and Darcey Cronin, gave the REDS a comfortable lead as they closed their regular season.

“There was a lot of team effort this weekend which allowed a lot of opportunities to score,” said Maxwell. “Everyone was working together and putting in work on both sides of the ball.” 

Sunday’s win ends UNB’s sixth consecutive undefeated regular season and continues an unmatched 41-game regular season winning streak for the REDS.  

“The team has come a long way since our first game,” said Maxwell. “We’ve bonded on and off the pitch and I’m so proud of the work we’ve put in. It takes lots of hard work and dedication to get this far. I’m honoured to be a part of this group of strong and resilient women.” 

UNB now have their sights set on their seventh consecutive Atlantic Collegiate Athletics Association women’s rugby title.

The REDS will face King’s College on Saturday, at College Field. Game time is 2:00pm in the conference semi-finals. The winner advances to the ACAA championship game.

“UKC is known for their fast filching and they have a speedy back line,” said Stewart. “The key to securing a spot in the championship game will be priding ourselves on defense. We must continue to be the first to rucks and come up fast defensively to stop UKC early. If we take care of them defensively, it will flow into our offence, and we will be successful.”

RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS: SRM Photography/for STU Athletics